How do I get from Rome Airport to Rome?

The country’s busiest international airport, Fiumicino, will be the destination for most people flying to Italy. Rome is a long distance away from the airport, as is most metropolitan areas. This means that your first task is to get from Rome’s airport to central Rome.

Fiumicino Airport, (FCO), is located more than 20 miles from Rome’s city center. Be sure to look into other options before you take a taxi. This will save you time and money.

Keep in mind, however, that the information provided below is valid even if you are flying home from Rome as your last stop in Italy. Both the transit times and fares are identical.

Leonardo Express Train Rome Fiumicino Airport to Rome

The Leonardo Express is a dedicated train from Rome to Fiumicino. It’s expensive at EUR14 per person and is not the most cost-effective way to get into the city. However, it is the best combination of easy, efficient, and affordable.

Every 30 minutes, the Leonardo Express departs Fiumicino Airport. During peak passenger traffic periods, the frequency may increase to every 15 minutes. The station is located right inside the airport. Every day service is available (guaranteed even during strike), starting at 06:00. The last train leaves the airport around 23:23.

The Leonardo Express travel time from Fiumicino and Termini takes approximately 30 minutes. Tickets cost EUR14 per person. Children under 4 years old are free and children 4-12 years old can travel for free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the airport’s ticket windows or self-service ticket machines. There are also many newsstands and tobacco shops within the airport. Make sure you validate your ticket before you board the train and keep it with your for the duration of the trip. It may be necessary to pass through exit turnstiles.

Take the Leonardo Express to Rome from Termini Station Station on platforms 23-24.

Learn more about Leonardo Express by clicking.

Local trains from Rome Fiumicino Airport, Rome

There is also a local train to central Rome that runs alongside the Leonardo Express. The FL1 Regional Train leaves the airport every other day and is less expensive than the Leonardo Express, but it’s still my preference.

The FL1 Regional Train departs Fiumicino Airport approximately every 15 minutes. On holidays, it slows down to every 30 minutes. However, it does not serve Rome’s central Termini station. You will need to take the Trastevere or Ostiense, Tuscolana or Tiburtina trains instead. At Ostiense or Tiburtina, you can connect to Rome’s Metro Lines A and B. The FL1 is worth looking into if your lodging is near one of these four stations. The FL1 is a regional train, not an airport train. It stops at several stations along its route. Trastevere is 7th from the airport. This means that you won’t be able to just sit back and relax in a jetlag stupor.

It takes approximately half an hour to travel from Fiumicino on the FL1 to Trastevere, while it takes about 50 minutes to get to Tiburtina. To any of the four stations, tickets cost EUR8 per person (children below 4 years old are free and 4-12 year-olds travel free for each paying adult). Tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows at the airport station and at self-service ticket machines. There are also many newsstands and tobacco shops within the airport. Make sure you validate your ticket before you board the train and keep it with your for the duration of the trip. It may be necessary to pass through exit turnstiles.

If one of the stations is closer to you, you can view a list of all FL1 stations here.

Buses to Rome Fiumicino Airport from Rome

Trains are my preferred way to travel around Italy, even from the airport to the city center. This is partly due to the fact that trains don’t get stuck behind traffic. However, there are many coach bus services that run from Fiumicino to Rome. They’re also cheaper than the Leonardo Express. You can usually buy your tickets on the bus (cash only) or you can order them online beforehand if you know when you will be getting on the bus at airport.

Cotral Cotral buses link Fiumicino and Termini Station. They depart the airport eight times per day at 01:15. (Scan this PDF schedule for “Termini”) to find exact departure times. Look out for signs for regional buses. Buses depart from Terminal 2. One-way tickets cost EUR5 per person.
Terravision– Terravision buses link Fiumicino and Termini Station. They depart the airport approximately every half-hour starting at 05.30. The trip takes 55 minutes. Buses depart from Terminal 2 Arrivals. This is bus stall number 3. One-way tickets cost EUR4 per person.
SIT Shuttle – SIT buses link Fiumicino and Termini Station. They depart the airport approximately twice an hour, starting at 08:30. The trip takes 55 minutes. Buses depart from Terminal 3 Arrivals, bus stand number 1. One-way tickets cost EUR6 per person, round-trips are EUR11
T.A.M. – T.A.M. Buses connect Fiumicino to Termini Station. They depart the airport approximately once an hour at 05:40. (Scan the schedule page for “partenza Da Fimicino Centro” to view exact departure times. One-way tickets cost EUR5 per person.
Rome AirportBus By Schiaffini– Schiaffini buses link Fiumicino and Termini Station. They depart the airport approximately 1-2 times an hour, starting at 06:05. (See the full schedule on under “Fiumicino/Roma Termini”. Buses depart from Terminal 3 Arrivals, bus stand number 6. One-way tickets cost EUR5 per person, round-trip costs EUR8

Taxis to Rome Fiumicino Airport from Rome

Italian taxi drivers, especially those in Rome and Naples, have a long history of ripping off passengers. Although things are improving, you should still be educated before you get in a taxi at Fiumicino Airport.

For various distances between the airport and Rome, there is an official fixed taxi fare. The fixed fare for Fiumicino to points “within” the Aurelian Walls is EUR48. This includes up to four people and their luggage. If you are staying in the center of the city, chances are that you will be within the walls. However, if you don’t know for sure, ask your accommodation to confirm before you travel. The city of Rome’s map has the Aurelian Walls highlighted in yellow.

The fixed taxi fare to Civitavecchia Harbor from Fiumicino Airport is EUR120 if you are arriving in Rome.

Taxi queues are available at Fiumicino’s Terminals 1, 3, and 5. There are also cars that don’t belong to official taxis. You must be certain that you are taking a Rome taxi. Otherwise, you will not get the fixed fare and may be ripped off in other ways. The official Rome taxis are white cars with a sign reading TAXI on their roof. The doors and the interior of the taxi have license numbers. Official taxis have meters. Even if the fixed fare is paid, ensure that the vehicle you take to the airport has a working meter.

For more information on taking a taxi in Rome, you can check out Shelley’s post titled “How to Take a Taxi to Rome and Not Get Ripped Off”.

Quick aside: Most visitors fly into Fiumicino, Rome’s largest airport, from abroad. However, if you land at Ciampino (Rome’s smaller airport), follow Amanda’s advice. Do not take a taxi to Rome from Ciampino.